My Liver Transplant Journey from day one.

I have been battling for my life since I was born. I have been blessed so far with twenty-two years and my family is praying that God will once again give me another chance.

I was born with a genetic illness known as tyrosinemia, diagnosed at the age of two months. My body could not break down certain foods, and over a period of time, toxins would build up causing deterioration, and eventually, failure of my liver. The doctors kept me on a special formula, and hoped I could remain stable, but  when I was a little over three years old my liver began to fail, so they put me on the waiting list for a transplant. A month later in August 1994 my family received a call from the doctors at Egleston Children’s Hospital (now known as Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta) that a liver was ready. I received my first liver transplant from a cadaver (deceased) donor. My body struggled to accept the new liver. I practically lived in the hospital from 1994 until 2000. I had several complications and had to go through rigorous testing. My body eventually won the fight and destroyed the donated liver.

In 2000 my mother was tested to become a living liver donor for me. After several tests she was able to give a portion of her liver. My body accepted my mother’s liver and I was able to live a healthy life until recently. Suddenly in July of 2011 I noticed that a hernia had formed and was concerned about the growth and size of my stomach. The Liver Transplant Team at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta scheduled for me to be seen right away I was tested and on August 12, 2011 and it was confirmed that I had ascites with end stage failure. I was told that I

needed to start the transplant process as soon as possible.

Me and my mom seeing eachother for the first time after the transplant.

Unfortunately, I was informed that I could no longer be seen due to inadequate insurance. The doctors  at several different hospitals told me that I either had to be on Medicaid or come up with $200,000 cash before they could even start the transplant process. My family worked around the clock to have me flown to Illinois where I now reside. I received care from OSF a non profit organization until they they were able to raise money and get me on Medicaid. 

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